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Prudence wondered if love had anything to do with Granger's hiring Mr. Osgood, or if it was the fact that he saw his dream of a banking empire crumble.
"How long have you been following me?"
Barney Osgood scratched his chin. "Actually, I've been following Mr. Stewart. But I lost him. I went on a bit, hoping to run across him again. It's just plain luck I saw you here. Now we can head back to Boston together."
"I have no intention of returning to Boston with you, Mr. Osgood."
"Gee, ma'am, I was afraid you were going to say that."
Prudence took a step away from him. She didn't care for the determined glint in his eyes, together with his size, made him appear formidable. "I have a train to board," she said, dismissing him and attempting to move around him.
His hand reached out in a flash, grabbing her arm. "Afraid I can't let you go, ma'am."
Prudence was incensed. Everyone thought themselves in control of her, and she was fed up with it.
"Get your hand off me," she said distinctly.
"Can't do that, ma'am," he said, placing his hat back on his head.
"You have no right to do this," she demanded loudly, purposely trying to draw attention.
To Prudence's relief, people began to stare at them. She hoped someone — anyone — would offer help.
"Afraid I do. I'm carrying papers written by Mr. Madison explaining the situation and how it would be best for your own safety to return with me."
"That is ridiculous."
"Perhaps, but why don't you just come along nice and quiet like with me. Then when you get back to Boston, you can settle all this with Mr. Madison."
Prudence struggled futilely in an attempt to free herself. "Let go," she cried, swinging her other hand and hitting him smack in the middle of his chest.
It did little good. Her hand hurt, while his chest suffered no ill effect.
"Now come along nice and quiet," he repeated once again, pulling her alongside him.
"I'm not going with you and that's final!" she yelled, kicking him square in the shin. She hurt her foot and caused him a small, annoyed grimace.
"That's enough," Barney Osgood warned.
"My sentiments exactly. Now take your hands off my wife!"
Prudence had no choice but to turn with Barney, since he swung her around with him at the sound of Zac's demand.
"Your wife?" Barney repeated.
Zac walked up to him. They were both of equal height, but Barney weighed considerably more. "My wife!"
"I can't let her go until I check with Mr. Madison," Barney said, still holding on to Prudence.
Zac shook his head slowly. "We have a real problem."
A crowd had gathered around them. They whispered and mumbled among themselves about the notorious gunslinger Zac Stewart being here in Hastings.
"I don't carry a gun," Barney informed Zac.
Prudence detected a quiver of fear in the man's voice. She didn't want to see him hurt. And she didn't want to see Zac forced into drawing his guns to defend her. "I refuse to go with either of you," she cried out dramatically. "Now let me go!"
She yanked viciously to free herself while swinging her other hand, hitting Barney about the head and chest with her wild blows.
Barney quickly lost all control of the situation.
Zac stepped forward, shaking his head and raising his voice. "I swear it's easier to face another gunslinger than to deal with a wife like you."
Just then Barney ducked to avoid another blow from Prudence. It missed him completely but connected solidly with Zac's jaw, sending him stumbling back.
Barney released Prudence instantly. She stood in shock, her eyes widespread, staring at her fist and then at Zac. She couldn't believe what she had done.
"I've had it," Zac growled, marching straight for her.
Barney stepped in front of him, in a manly effort to protect Prudence. But Zac was past reasoning.
When he saw Barney raise his hands, Zac raised a fist and connected squarely with his jaw. The large man stumbled back, cleared his head with a shake, rubbed his jaw, and threw a punch back.
The crowd roared as the two men went at each other.
Prudence quickly stepped out of the way and watched along with the crowd. Cheers filled the air as blow after blow was thrown. Neither man reacted noticeably to the stinging punches. It was as though they were both made of solid rock.
It was the first sign of blood that concerned Prudence. It ran from Zac's nose after his head had been sent back with a sharp snap by a hard blow from Barney. He ignored the damage, though, and it seemed to fire up his blood. His punches took on an angry intensity, and Barney soon began to stumble backward as Zac converged on him with repeated blows to the face.
Barney went down, rattling the planks of the train platform as his large body landed with a bounce.
